"BORN AND RAISED IN THE BOONDOCKS": BISEXUAL MEN’S EXPERIENCES REARED IN RURAL AREAS By COLTON BROWN Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology Georgia State University Atlanta, Ga 2012 Master of Science in Educational Psychology Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK 2014 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy July, 2018 "BORN AND RAISED IN THE BOONDOCKS": BISEXUAL MEN’S EXPERIENCES REARED IN RURAL AREAS Dissertation Approved: Dr. Tonya Hammer Dissertation Adviser Dr. Randolph Hubach Committee Member Dr. Al Carlozzi Committee Member Dr. Hugh Crethar Committee Member Dr. Tamara Mix Outside Committee Member ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project has been a long, arduous, rewarding process. There are many people, who had a hand in its completion, and I would like to thank them all, but that would most likely take many pages. I do want to acknowledge my participants, and their willingness to be vulnerable and authentic. This project would not have happened without their bravery and ability to share their lives. I also want to thank my wonderful research team members, Natalie Singleton, Josiah Stogsdill, and Marissa Foore. They worked tirelessly to analyze data, offer feedback, and provide social space in this process. I could not have asked for a better team! I also want to thank all those in my social network. My friends and loved ones kept me grounded during this process and helped me maintain my existence outside of “dissertating”. I offer a special thanks to my cohort members for listening to me vent and even cry over this process. Thank you to Remy and London, my love cats, for brightening my days and greeting me at the door when I came home from working. I would like to thank my entire committee for taking the time to support this dissertation. None of them were required to do so, and I greatly appreciate their kindness, assistance, and guidance. Thank you to Dr. Tammy Mix for helping with methodology. Thank you to Dr. Hugh Crethar for the editing and reviewing of my writing. Thank you for Dr. Al Carlozzi for connecting me to community resources to gain participants. Thank you to Dr. Randy Hubach for funding this project and for his guidance toward incorporating literature outside of counseling psychology. Finally, I owe much gratitude to my Chair and Advisor, Dr. Tonya Hammer. She has been an invaluable mentor, resource, and confidant in my development as a counselor, researcher, and advocate. She encourages me to live authentically and relationally, and as I often tell her, I would not still be pursuing this degree if not for her mentorship. iii Acknowledgements reflect the views of the author and are not endorsed by committee members or Oklahoma State University. Name: COLTON BROWN Date of Degree: JULY, 2018 Title of Study: "BORN AND RAISED IN THE BOONDOCKS": BISEXUAL MEN’S EXPERIENCES REARED IN RURAL AREAS Major Field: EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY Abstract: This qualitative study addresses two gaps in knowledge of sexual minority identity development: (a) identity development of bisexual men and (b) the unique needs of bisexual men raised in rural environments. The researchers employed a multiple case study methodology, which allowed for contextual understandings of the lived experiences of rural bisexual men. A rural sample gives voice to the different needs, challenges, and resiliency factors of individuals raised in a rural setting. Current research on identity development and rural health outcomes are discussed, while topics such as biphobia and bisexual invisibility are also introduced and explained. These characteristics were chosen because of their emphasis on the social aspects of behavior and overall orientation toward social change. Data points include individual interviews on identity development, artefactual analysis, relational influence maps, and closing reflective interviews. Findings included themes in four primary areas: (a) understanding rurality; (b) relational factors of identity development; (c) controlling images; (d) community resources. These findings are applied to potential counseling interventions, advocacy efforts, and community resource development. Keywords : bisexuality, community resources, identity development, multiple case study iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................1 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE....................................................................................2 Identity Development...............................................................................................2 Bisexual Identity Development................................................................................3 Impact of Religion ...................................................................................................5 Bisexual Invisibility .................................................................................................6 Societal Stereotypes .................................................................................................7 Biphobia ...................................................................................................................7 Health Outcomes ......................................................................................................8 Rural Life .................................................................................................................9 Resources ...............................................................................................................11 Theoretical Perspective ..........................................................................................12 Research Questions ................................................................................................13 III. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................14 Research Design.....................................................................................................14 Procedures ..............................................................................................................15 Participants .............................................................................................................17 Population ..............................................................................................................17 Sample....................................................................................................................17 Sampling Method ...................................................................................................18 Data Analysis .........................................................................................................18 Trustworthiness ......................................................................................................19 IV. FINDINGS .............................................................................................................22 Understanding Rurality ..........................................................................................22 Features of Rural Communities .............................................................................22 Impact of Rural Upbringings .................................................................................23 Relational Factors of Identity .................................................................................25 Early Understandings .............................................................................................25 Defining Bisexuality ..............................................................................................28 Community ............................................................................................................30 Controlling Images.................................................................................................32 v Bisexual Erasure ....................................................................................................32 Gendered Expectations ..........................................................................................33 Biphobia .................................................................................................................36 Community Resources ...........................................................................................40 V. CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................45 Implications for Counseling ...................................................................................47 Implications for Advocacy .....................................................................................48 Implications for Community Resources ................................................................50 Limitations .............................................................................................................51 Future Research .....................................................................................................52 vi REFERENCES ............................................................................................................55 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................70 Appendix A: Extended Review of the Literature ..................................................70